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12.10.12

Prosecutor arrested after weed fell from his pocket in court

A New Orleans city
attorney was arrested for possession of marijuana and suspended from his job
after a joint tumbled from his pocket in front of police in court.

Jason Cantrell,
43, assistant city attorney, was issued a summons for simple possession of
marijuana on Monday afternoon after a marijuana cigarette fell to the floor in
Orleans Parish magistrate court, New Orleans Police spokesman Frank Robertson
said.

"Jason
Cantrell is suspended without pay pending further investigation," Ryan
Berni, a spokesman for New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, said on Wednesday.
"He was not acting in his capacity as assistant city attorney when the
incident occurred."

Cantrell's wife, a
candidate for New Orleans City Council, said on her Facebook page that she was
"angry, embarrassed and disappointed," with her husband's actions.

"I absolutely
do not condone his actions," LaToya Cantrell wrote. "He will accept
the legal consequences as the judicial process takes its course."

She said Jason
Cantrell had submitted his resignation, but Berni said no resignation letter
had been received.

Cantrell has
practiced law in Louisiana for more than 16 years, according to Louisiana State
Bar Association. He ran unsuccessfully for juvenile court judge in 2009. He has
been with the city since 2009.

Jason Cantrell
could not be reached for comment on Wednesday. LaToya Cantrell said she will
remain in the race for city council.